Scheduled MonumentsEnglandCrownhill Fort

Crownhill Fort

England
List entry 1020571
Nation
England
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic England (NHLE)

Overview

History & significance

Crownhill Fort is a Victorian coastal defence fortification located near Plymouth in Devon, constructed during the 1860s as part of the broader scheme of coastal fortifications known as the Palmerston Forts. The fort was built to protect Plymouth Sound and the naval dockyard from potential attack during a period of heightened tension with France, featuring the characteristic design of low-profile masonry and earth works typical of mid-nineteenth-century military engineering. Its physical structure comprises casemented gun emplacements arranged to command the approaches to the coast, with surrounding ditches and ramparts designed to maximise defensive strength whilst minimising exposure to naval bombardment. The fort remains substantially intact and represents an important example of Victorian military architecture and the strategic concerns of the period.

Crownhill Fort is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1020571. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Crownhill Fort?

Crownhill Fort is a Victorian coastal defence fortification located near Plymouth in Devon, constructed during the 1860s as part of the broader scheme of coastal fortifications known as the Palmerston Forts. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1020571.

Who is responsible for protecting Crownhill Fort?

Crownhill Fort is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1020571.

What other scheduled monuments are near Crownhill Fort?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Holy well called St Julian's Well (8.2 km), Staddon Heights Defences including Fort Staddon Fort, Brownhill Battery, Watch House Battery, Staddon Heights Battery, Staddon Battery and associated features and structures (8.3 km), Fort Bovisand (8.6 km).

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